Janice R. Andrews
The rivalry between Formula 1 team bosses Toto Wolff of Mercedes and Christian Horner of Red Bull has reignited, this time over comments about Mercedes driver George Russell’s future. Horner recently suggested that Red Bull could target Russell when his contract with Mercedes ends after the 2025 season, calling it “foolish” not to consider the 26-year-old as an option.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Horner hinted, “George Russell is out of contract at the end of next year. We’d be silly not to take that into account,” fueling speculation that Red Bull may make a move for the talented driver.
Unsurprisingly, Wolff didn’t take kindly to Horner’s remarks. “He’s always stirring s—,” Wolff responded bluntly. “George is a Mercedes driver and will continue to be. He has a long-term contract with us, and our focus is on him and Kimi Antonelli.”
Russell is expected to lead Mercedes once Lewis Hamilton departs for Ferrari at the end of the season, with 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli set to join him from F2. Wolff stressed that Mercedes’ attention is fully on the 2024 and 2025 seasons, and he dismissed any talk of Russell leaving.
The tension between Wolff and Horner has been brewing for years, with the 2021 championship battle between Max Verstappen and Hamilton being a major flashpoint. While Red Bull leads the current drivers’ standings with Verstappen, they trail McLaren in the constructors’ race, just ahead of Mercedes.
As for George Russell’s future, Wolff appears determined to keep him as a key figure at Mercedes, despite Horner’s attempts to stir up speculation. Whether Red Bull’s interest is real or just another mind game remains to be seen.
